As a professional manufacturer with over 20 years of experience, Taifno offers customized expanded PTFE products that are CE and FDA certified. These products feature superior flexibility and compressibility, as well as breathability and resistance to liquid penetration, making them ideal for demanding applications in sealing, filtration, venting, and medical implants.
Expanded PTFE (ePTFE) is produced by processing 100% virgin PTFE resin through a specialized stretching process, creating a microporous fibrillated structure. This unique structure provides superior flexibility, compressibility, recovery, and creep resistance compared to conventional PTFE, while maintaining PTFE's universal chemical resistance (pH 0-14).
The problem they solve: Conventional PTFE gaskets are rigid and cannot conform to rough, pitted, or warped flanges. On glass-lined, ceramic, or plastic flanges, high torque damages fragile surfaces. ePTFE's soft, micro-porous structure seals at very low bolt torque, making it the ideal solution for "problem flanges," not for pressure/temperature issues.
Manufactured from 100% virgin PTFE through a specialized expansion process, the ePTFE sheets are soft, conformable, and highly compressible. The micro-porous structure fills scratches, pits, and irregularities under low bolt torque, forming a dense sealing barrier when compressed.
Key Features:
Excellent compressibility (~38%) and recovery (~14%)
No cold flow (creep) — unlike conventional PTFE
Low torque sealing — protects fragile flanges
Self-adhesive backing available for easy installation
Suitable For: Glass-lined flanges, ceramic flanges, plastic flanges, damaged flanges, large-diameter flanges, low-pressure steam, heat exchangers.
Available Sizes: 1500×1500mm standard, thickness 0.5-10mm. Custom sizes available on request.
Certifications: FDA 21 CFR 177.1550, BAM oxygen service, TA-Luft.
Continuous sealing tape made from expanded PTFE, typically with self-adhesive backing. Cut to length on-site, one roll replaces hundreds of pre-cut gasket sizes.
Key Features:
Cut to length on-site — fits any shape, any size
Self-adhesive backing available — holds position on vertical flanges
No cold flow, no aging
One roll replaces hundreds of gasket sizes
Lower total cost than stocking pre-cut gaskets
Suitable For: Pipe flanges, glass-lined flanges, FRP/plastic flanges, heat exchangers, large pressure vessels, irregular sealing surfaces.
Available Sizes: Width 3-25mm, thickness 0.7-7mm.
Temperature Range: -196°C to +200°C (short-term up to +315°C).
Pressure Range: Up to 100 bar (liquid), 16 bar (gas).
Round or square cross-section cord made from expanded PTFE. Cut to length on-site, used for valve stem packing, flange sealing, and irregular sealing surfaces.
Suitable For: Valve stem seals, pump packing, large-diameter flanges, irregular sealing surfaces.
|
Feature |
Expanded PTFE |
Virgin PTFE |
Why It Matters |
|
Density |
0.7-1.0 g/cm³ |
2.15-2.20 g/cm³ |
ePTFE is lighter, softer, more compressible |
|
Compressibility |
~38% |
Low |
ePTFE conforms to flange irregularities |
|
Recovery |
~14% |
Low |
ePTFE maintains seal after compression |
|
Conformability |
★★★★★ |
★★☆☆☆ |
ePTFE fills scratches and pits |
|
Cold Flow |
✅ No creep |
❌ Creeps |
ePTFE maintains bolt torque longer |
|
Low Torque Sealing |
★★★★★ |
★★☆☆☆ |
ePTFE protects fragile flanges |
|
Temperature |
-196°C to +200°C |
-180°C to +200°C |
ePTFE has wider temperature range |
|
FDA Compliant |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
Both suitable for food/pharma |
|
If Your Application Is... |
Choose... |
Why |
|
Glass-lined, ceramic, or plastic flanges |
ePTFE Sheet or Tape |
Low torque — protects fragile surfaces |
|
Rough, pitted, or warped flanges |
ePTFE Sheet or Tape |
Conforms to irregularities — fills gaps |
|
Large diameter flanges (24"+) |
ePTFE Tape or Cord |
No custom gasket waiting — cut on-site |
|
Non-standard or odd-shaped flanges |
ePTFE Tape or Cord |
One roll replaces hundreds of sizes |
|
Valve stem sealing |
ePTFE Cord |
Flexible — installs without valve disassembly |
|
Heat exchanger sealing |
ePTFE Sheet |
Wide temperature range — no creep |
|
Smooth, well-maintained flanges |
Virgin PTFE |
Lower cost — standard PTFE works fine |
|
Industry |
Application |
Why Expanded PTFE |
|
Chemical Processing |
Pipe flanges, reactors, heat exchangers — acids, solvents, aggressive media |
pH 0-14 chemical resistance + conformability |
|
Pharmaceutical |
Sterile equipment, bioreactors — FDA compliance |
FDA 21 CFR 177.1550 compliant |
|
Food & Beverage |
Sanitary connections, filling equipment — FDA compliance |
Pure PTFE, non-contaminating |
|
Glass-lined Equipment |
Glass-lined reactors, vessels |
Low torque — protects fragile surfaces |
|
FRP/Plastic Flanges |
FRP piping, plastic equipment flanges |
Low torque — prevents flange deformation |
|
Pulp & Paper |
Large diameter flanges, digesters — thermal cycling |
Wide temperature range — no creep |
|
Power Generation |
Steam systems, condenser flanges |
-196°C to +200°C wide range |
|
Semiconductor |
High-purity chemical distribution |
100% pure PTFE — no extractables |
Glass-lined reactor manways and covers
Large diameter flanges (DN500+)
Plate heat exchangers, shell and tube heat exchangers
Large scrubbers, pressure vessels
Pipe flange connections
FRP/plastic piping systems
Valve stem stuffing boxes
ePTFE is soft and resilient, seals reliably at very low bolt torque. Perfect for glass-lined, ceramic, and plastic flanges, prevents high torque from damaging fragile surfaces.
The micro-porous structure conforms to scratches, pitting, warping, and other surface irregularities. Where virgin PTFE leaks, ePTFE seals.
Virgin PTFE creeps under pressure, bolt torque relaxes and leaks develop. ePTFE's unique structure resists cold flow, maintaining sealing force over time.
ePTFE tape and cord are cut to length on-site and fit any size and shape. No need to stock hundreds of gasket sizes, and no waste.
Within its service limits, ePTFE does not degrade or age over time.
Expanded PTFE Products continuous service: -196°C to +200°C, short-term up to +315°C.
Our products meet FDA 21 CFR 177.1550, safe for direct food contact applications.
A: Choose expanded PTFE when your flanges are the problem.
Virgin PTFE is dense and rigid, it does not conform to uneven flanges and requires higher torque to seal, which can crack glass-lined or plastic flanges.
ePTFE is soft and resilient, it conforms to rough, warped, or damaged flanges at very low torque.
Choose ePTFE for: Glass-lined flanges, ceramic flanges, plastic flanges, damaged flanges, large diameter flanges, low torque requirements, thermal cycling service.
Choose virgin PTFE for: Smooth, well-maintained flanges, standard sizes, cost priority.
Quick rule:
Problem flanges → ePTFE.
Good flanges → Virgin PTFE.
A: One roll of ePTFE tape replaces hundreds of pre-cut gasket sizes.
Stocking 50 different gasket sizes costs much in inventory and storage space. One roll of ePTFE tape covers all of them, because you can cut what you need, when you need it. Here are the key advantages:
No waste: cut exactly what you need.
No waiting: cut on-site, no custom orders.
No obsolete inventory: one roll covers all sizes.
While the per-meter cost is higher than standard gasket sheet, the savings on inventory, downtime, and waste easily exceed the material cost over a year. Quick rule:
Standard sizes, smooth flanges → pre-cut gaskets.
Multiple sizes, non-standard flanges → ePTFE tape.
A: Temperature: Continuous -196°C to +200°C (short-term up to +315°C).
Pressure: Liquid up to 100 bar, gas up to 16 bar.
Chemical: pH 0-14, NOT compatible with molten alkali metals or elemental fluorine.
Three common mistakes:
(1) Wrong size selection: for smooth flanges, cord diameter should be 1/3 to 1/2 of the gasket contact area; for rough surfaces, use wider tape or double-up.
(2) Over-tightening: ePTFE seals at low torque; over-tightening damages the material and causes leaks. Use a torque wrench.
(3) Improper end joining: tape/cord ends should overlap 10-20mm with a 45° tapered cut to avoid a thick bump that causes uneven compression.
Self-adhesive tip: For vertical or overhead flanges, use self-adhesive backed material, peel the backing film, press firmly onto the flange surface, and it stays in position during assembly.
We include installation guidelines with every order, and also support technical services, feel free to contact us.
